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Under-18s will not be able to buy products containing harmful levels of acid or corrosive substances at a number of retailers, following the launch of a voluntary Government plan.

Wickes, B&Q and Tesco are among those who have signed up to the proposals which are aimed at curbing the number of acid attacks.

The voluntary ban - which will apply to products bought in store and online - comes ahead of proposed legislation on preventing minors from purchasing products which contain potentially harmful levels of acid.

Victoria Atkins, minister for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability, said: "Acid attacks have a devastating impact on their victims, leaving both emotional and physical scars.

"I'm pleased that so many of the UK's major retailers are joining our fight to combat this scourge and signalling they are committed to selling acids responsibly."

The Home Office said Wickes, B&Q, Screwfix, Wilko, The Co-op, Morrisons, Waitrose, Tesco and John Lewis are among the major retailers to have signed up, which will see under-18s unable to buy the following products:

Products that contain sulphuric acid such as drain cleaners/unblockers

Products that contain hydrochloric acid (10% and over) such as brick and patio cleaners

Products that contain sodium hydroxide (12% and over) such as paint strippers

In October, acid attack victim Resham Khan, 21, who faced life-changing injuries after a stranger hurled acid into her car as she celebrated her birthday, welcomed the government's crack-down on acid attacks when it was announced by Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

She has been campaigning for tougher laws on acid, with a change.org petition she spearheaded garnering over a 350,000 signatures.

Ms Khan said at the time: "It is somewhat reassuring to see the government acknowledge the true extent of the devastation and pain acid attacks inflict on its victims and their families, both psychologically and physically.

"Because of this, and the sheer fear and life-changing injuries acid can cause, I do hope this is the start of much more being done to prevent these attacks, punish the perpetrators and support the victims."